Coral Sea Campaign

0500 - 0700 May 5, 1942

Before dawn the Japanese launched several flights of Nells and Betties, with Zero escorts, to
attack the Port Moresby Airfield. They met a fair amount of CAP, but broke through and bombed
the field with some effect. As the attackers flew off over the Owen Stanley mountains they left
behind an oil field on fire and several buildings in ruins. The attack was not as successful as the
Japanese had hoped, but it looks like the softening up process has begun.